School-Home Support Service (UK)

School-Home Support (SHS) is a British charity founded in 1984 that aims to help disadvantaged children and young people overcome barriers to education and improve school attendance across the United Kingdom. The charity works closely with schools, local authorities, families, and communities to support children facing challenges that impact their learning, including poverty, lack of housing, domestic violence, and substance misuse.

History and Mission

Founded by Bridget Cramp in 1984, SHS emphasizes the importance of the home environment in a child's educational attainment. The organization seeks to “look beyond the classroom” by addressing wider issues affecting children’s ability to regularly attend school and engage with their education. Their core mission is encapsulated in the motto: "Children in school, ready to learn. Whatever it takes."

Activities

SHS provides practical and emotional support to children, young people, and their families through highly trained, independent workers based in schools. These practitioners act as vital links between home and school, offering advice, advocacy, and support tailored to individual needs. Services include promoting regular attendance, supporting family engagement, advising on housing, finances, health, and facilitating access to adult learning and volunteering opportunities.

In addition to direct support, SHS offers training and consultancy services to educational and public sector organizations to spread best practices in overcoming barriers to learning.

During the 2015/16 academic year alone, the charity worked with over 11,000 families, reflecting the ongoing demand for its services,[1][4][5] and the need has continued to grow.

Governance and Funding

School-Home Support is a registered UK charity (number 1084696) with a revenue of approximately £3.3 million. The organization employs around 73 staff members, including specialists paid between £60,000 and £90,000 annually.[3]

The charity's governing structure includes 12 trustees, ensuring accountability and strategic oversight.

Patronage and Recognition

Notable patrons include Ken Olisa, the first black Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, and Tony Adams, former Arsenal and England football captain. In 2020, Sophie Winkleman was appointed Royal Patron, marking a significant endorsement of the charity's work.[1]

Impact and Advocacy

SHS actively campaigns to raise awareness of the challenges caused by low school attendance. For example, it leads "School Attendance Gap Day," a dedicated awareness initiative highlighting the educational loss caused by absence from school. The charity also advocates for government action and policies to address attendance and educational inequality.

As of 2025, SHS celebrated its 40th anniversary, emphasizing four decades of commitment to enabling children to be "back to school, ready to learn."[2]

This article is about the UK charity School-Home Support Service registered under charity number 1084696.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School-Home_Support [2] https://www.schoolhomesupport.org.uk [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1084696&subId=0 [4] https://www.schoolhomesupport.org.uk/our-services [5] https://www.stcolumbas.bradford.sch.uk/Parents/School-Home-Support-Service/